I'm confused about the difference in using "avant que" et "quand".

Teresa

Aurélie

Kwiziq language super star

18 April 2017

18/04/17

Bonjour Teresa !

There are two distinct expressions in French, and therefore don't behave in the same manner.
"Avant que" expresses an action taking place *after* the main clause: Le Subjonctif implies there's a doubt as to whether this action will take place, as it hasn't happened yet.
Whereas "quand" expresses a simultaneity, hence it being more assured and therefore followed by L'Indicatif mood.
Other expressions behaving like "quand" would be: "lorsque" (when), pendant que (while), une fois que (once), etc...

Teresa

Kwiziq community member

18 April 2017

18/04/17

Thank you. I'm sorry my question was so general, but somehow it submitted before I was finished writing. In my textbook, I see "On ira au cinéma quand on finira nos devoirs." It just seemed so different from the English that it threw me.